Jayel Aheram

ASCOD Press Release

PALM DESERT, CA – The Student Senate of the Associated Students of College of the Desert (ASCOD) will host a “9/11 Memorial and Vigil” on Monday, September 12, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at College of the Desert in Palm Desert.

The memorial and vigil will be conducted near the International Fountain of Knowledge located in front of the Hilb Building at the center of the COD campus. College faculty and administration, students, alumni, and members of the community are invited to attend.

“Our goals for this vigil are to remember the victims of that tragic day 10 years ago and to celebrate the coming together of America and outpouring of patriotism and unity that followed,” says Jayel Aheram, communications officer for the Student Senate. “The theme and focus will be unity, patriotism, and peace.”

As part of the event, former College of the Desert students Daniel Suhr and James Gray, both New York City firefighters who lost their lives while saving others at the World Trade Center, will be honored.  Firefighter Gray, who was 34 when he lost his life in Tower 1, attended College of the Desert during 1985 and was a football player.  Firefighter Suhr attended College of the Desert during 1983 and was also a football player.  Suhr was the first firefighter to die on September 11th.

Confirmed speakers include Student Senate President Simon Myers; College of the Desert President Jerry Patton; Palm Desert Mayor Pro Tem Robert Spiegel, and Assemblyman Brian Nestande of the 64th Assembly District. A representative from Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack’s office will deliver remarks on her behalf.

For more information, please call the Office of Student Life at (760) 862-1311 or Jayel Aheram at [email protected].